Storable intravenous stands

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to a base member for a portable intravenous stand. The base member includes a plurality of segments configured to facilitate the close nesting or alignment of multiple portable intravenous stands; and thus reducing the amount of space required for storing the portable intravenous stands when not in use.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 13/469,863 filed May 11, 2012, which is a divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/287,535 filed Oct. 10, 2008, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/998,863filed Oct. 12, 2007, entitled Storable Intravenous Stands; and thecontents of all of which are incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is directed to stands for intravenous (IV) units,and more particularly to stands capable of being stored in such a mannerso as to reduce the amount of space required during storage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are many styles of portable intravenous stands available today. Ingeneral, the intravenous stand includes a base support having a set ofwheels or the like and a bar extending upward from the base, wherein theintravenous delivery unit is suspended from the bar and is capable ofaccompanying the user during movement. The intravenous stand ispreferably designed such that it is resistant to tipping over. In mostcases, such a design includes a sufficiently broad base support.Unfortunately, unless the broad base support is capable of beingcollapsed, storage of the intravenous stands requires a substantialamount of floor space. Alternatively, the intravenous stands may bestacked upon each other during storage, however it would be preferableif lifting the stand was not required.

The present invention is directed to addressing these and other matters.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an intravenous stand including abase support that facilitates storage of multiple intravenous standswithin close proximity to each other.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the portable intravenousstand includes a base member having a plurality of segments thatsubstantially lie within a first plane, and a plurality of rotatingmembers operatively connected e.g., bolted, welded, press-fit, snap-fit,and any other attachment mechanism known to one of ordinary skill in theart that is used to connect such cooperating components to the basemember. An outrigger member is connected between two adjacent segmentsof the base member, wherein the outrigger member includes a portionthereof being higher than a portion of the plurality of segments, whichfacilitates the positioning of another similarly configured portableintravenous stand proximate thereto and under the outrigger member.Preferably, a support is integral to the outrigger member and capable ofmaintaining a pole member substantially perpendicular to the firstplane.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the portable intravenousstand comprises a base member including a plurality of segmentssubstantially lying within a first plane, wherein the plurality ofsegments further include a main segment having a first and second endand preferably extending through the stand's center of mass; a firstadjacent segment having a first and second end, wherein the first end ofthe first adjacent segment being operatively connected to the first endof the main segment; a first rotating member being operatively attachedto the base member proximate the connection of the main segment and thefirst adjacent segment; a second adjacent segment having a first andsecond end, wherein the first end of the second adjacent segment beingoperatively connected to the second end of the main segment; a secondrotating member being operatively attached to the base member proximatethe connection of the main segment and the second adjacent segment; athird rotating member being operatively attached to the base memberproximate the second of the first adjacent segment; a fourth rotatingmember being operatively attached to the base member proximate thesecond end of the second adjacent member; a pair of concentric circleslying within the first plane, wherein the first and second rotatingmembers lying upon a circumference of a first circle and the third andfourth rotating members lying upon a circumference of a second circle;and, a support integral to the base member and capable of maintaining apole member substantially perpendicular to the first plane.

Alternatively, the embodiment further comprises a third adjacent segmenthaving a first and second end, wherein the first end of the thirdadjacent segment being operatively connected to the second end of thefirst adjacent segment; a fifth rotating member being operativelyattached to the base member proximate the second end of the thirdadjacent segment; a fourth adjacent segment having a first and secondend, wherein the first end of the fourth adjacent segment beingoperatively connected to the second end of the second adjacent segment;and, a sixth rotating member being operatively attached to the basemember proximate the second end of the fourth adjacent segment; a thirdconcentric circle lying within the first plane wherein the fifth andsixth rotating member essentially lie upon the circumference of thethird circle.

In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the concentriccircles have the same circumference such that the first, second, third,fourth, and any additional rotating members essentially lie upon thesame circle and are preferably spaced about the circumference an equaldistance apart from each other.

In another embodiment, a portable intravenous stand comprises a basemember including a plurality of segments, wherein the plurality ofsegments further comprise a first segment having a first end and asecond end; a second segment having a first end and a second end whereinthe first end of the second segment is operatively attached to the firstend of the first segment forming a first junction lying within a firstplane; an outrigger member having a first end and a second end whereinthe outrigger member first end is operatively attached to the firstjunction; a first rotating member operatively attached proximate thesecond end of the first segment; a second rotating member operativelyattached proximate the second end of the second segment; a thirdrotating member operatively attached proximate the second end of theoutrigger member wherein the first, second and third rotating membersare within a second plane parallel to and lower than the first plane; acircle lying within the second plane, wherein the first, second andthird rotating members essentially lie upon a circumference of thecircle; and a support integral to the base member and capable ofmaintaining a pole member substantially perpendicular to the firstplane.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sturdy andsufficiently stable portable intravenous stand that includes a basecapable of cooperating with bases of other similarly constructedportable intravenous stands such that the area required to store theportable intravenous stands is significantly less than those portableintravenous stands used today.

These and other aspects and attributes of the present invention will bediscussed with reference to the following drawings and accompanyingspecification and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus generally described the nature of the present invention,reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings showing, by wayof illustration, preferred embodiments in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a left perspective view of the present invention shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a right perspective view of the present invention shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the present invention shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the present invention shown in FIG.1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of several embodiments of the presentinvention shown in FIG. 1 as stored;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIGS. 12-14 are perspective views of various embodiments of the presentinvention show with the pole member attached thereto;

FIGS. 15-18 are perspective views of various embodiments of the portableintravenous stands of the present invention and attaching pole membersas stored;

FIG. 19A-19C depict an alternate embodiment of the base member of theportable intravenous stand of the present invention, wherein FIG. 19A isan elevated view thereof, FIG. 19B is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 19Cshows multiple stands in storage;

FIG. 20A-20C depict an alternate embodiment of the base member of theportable intravenous stand of the present invention, wherein. FIG. 20Ais a plan view thereof, FIG. 20B is an elevated view thereof, and FIG.20C shows multiple stands in storage;

FIG. 21 is an alternate embodiment of the base member of the portableintravenous stand of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is an alternate embodiment of the base member of the portableintravenous stand of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is an alternate embodiment of the base member of the portableintravenous stand of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is an alternate embodiment of the base member of the portableintravenous stand of the present invention; and,

FIG. 25 is an alternate embodiment of the base member of the portableintravenous stand of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in manydifferent forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein bedescribed in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with theunderstanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as anexemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intendedto limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodimentsillustrated.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-7,wherein various views depict a portable intravenous stand 10 having abase member 12 further including a plurality of segments 14. Theplurality of segments 14 lies substantially within a plane 22 (which issubstantially parallel with the paper with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6). Aplurality of rotating members 16 (not shown in FIGS. 1-7) can beoperatively connected to the base member 12, preferably proximate theend(s) of each segment. It is to be understood that the operativeconnection of any part/component of the portable intravenous stand 10contemplates utilizing any connecting mechanism known to one of ordinaryskill in the art for connecting such cooperating components, such as,and not limited to: welds, bolts, screws, hinges, pivots, snaps,fittings, crimps, and alike. An outrigger member 18 is connected betweentwo adjacent segments 14 of the base member 12, and preferably extendspast the adjacent segments to provide additional stability to the stand10. Similar to the segments 18, a rotating member 16 can be attachedproximate each end of the outrigger member 18. The outrigger member 18is configured such that its end, when attached to rotating members 16would lie on the circle and equidistant apart from the other rotatingmembers. The outrigger member 18 includes at least a portion thereof—andpreferably a substantial portion thereof—that does not lie within thesame plane as the plurality of segments 14; that is, at least a portionof the outrigger member 18 lies in another plane 23 that is above orhigher than the first plane 22 and which is preferably substantiallyparallel to the first plane. The higher portion of the outrigger member18 facilitates the positioning of another similarly designed portableintravenous stand 10 there under and proximate thereto. See FIG. 7. Asupport 19 is preferably integral to the base member 12 and is capableof maintaining a pole member 20 substantially perpendicular to theplanes 22, 23 respectively containing the plurality of segments 14 andthe outrigger member 18.

As shown in all the figures, the present invention contemplatesutilizing various amounts and varieties of segments 14, outriggermembers 18, and rotating members 16. That is, the base member 12 caninclude two or more segments 14 of flat or rounded stock made of metal,non-metal, plastic, polymer, rubber, composite, solid, non-solid, andcombinations thereof. See FIGS. 8-14. The preferred embodiment of thepresent invention shown in FIGS. 1-7 is cast out of aluminum andpowder-coated. The rotating members 16 can also be selected from among avariety of types know to those of ordinary skill in that art; includingand not limited to wheels, casters, balls, and rollers.

In other embodiments of the present invention shown in FIGS. 19A-19C and20A-20C, a base member 12 comprises an outrigger member 18, at least twoadjacent segments 14, and an elevated junction 27 proximate the centerof mass 24. The outrigger member 18, having a first end and a secondend, extends from the base member 12 proximate its center of mass 24,but does not connect between, nor extend past, adjacent segments 14. Theoutrigger member 18 first end is connected to adjacent segmentsproximate the junction 27. At least a portion of the outrigger member 18is elevated and perhaps inclined toward the elevated junction 27. Theangle of incline can be approximately 15° but other incline angles wouldbe acceptable. The incline is of adequate steepness to facilitate thepassage of one outrigger member of one base member 12 under another basemember of an adjacent similarly configured portable intravenous stand 10such that the poles of the stands are in close proximity. A rotatingmember can be attached proximate the outrigger member 18 second end.

At least two adjacent segments 14, having first and second ends, extendfrom proximate junction 27. The first ends of adjacent segments 14 areattached to the outrigger member 18 first end proximate junction 27. Atleast a portion of the adjacent segments 14 is elevated and perhapsinclined toward the elevated junction 27. The angle of inclination canbe similar to the incline of outrigger member 18. Rotating members canbe attached proximate the adjacent segment second ends.

The junction 27 is elevated above the outrigger member 18 and adjacentsegments 14 second ends such that the center of mass is in a first planeand the second ends are in a second plane parallel to the first plane.The elevated junction 27 facilitates the passage of outrigger member 18of another similarly configured portable intravenous stand 10 under thejunction 27 and positioning of the stands 10 in close proximity. SeeFIGS. 19C and 20C. A support 19 is attached proximate junction 27. Arotating member, not shown, can be attached proximate each second end ofoutrigger member 18 and segments 14. Additional segments 14′ can beattached proximate second ends of segments 14 to improve the stabilityof the base.

In all embodiments of the present invention including the outriggermember 18 extending between at least two segments 14 of the base member12—e.g., FIGS. 1-18, 23, and 24—it is preferable that at least a portionof the outrigger member is raised above a portion of the plurality ofsegments such that during storage, a portion of the segment of anadjacent stand 10 is capable of passing under the outrigger member tofacilitate close positioning of the stands as shown in FIGS. 7 and15-18. While the outrigger member 18 has been shown extending betweentwo adjacent segments 14 closest to the center of the base member 12, itis to be understood that the outrigger member can extend past thesegments (as shown in FIGS. 1-7) and/or be attached to other segments aswell. Additional discrete outrigger members 18 can also be utilized tobranch between subsequent adjacent segments 14 to provide increasedsturdiness to the base member 10. The additional outrigger members 18preferably also include at least a portion raised above a portion of theplurality of segments 14, which facilitates close positioning ofadditional stands during storage. The additional outrigger member 18 canbe branched between at least any two segments 14—not necessarilyimmediately adjacent segments and is not required to be aligned suchthat if extended further, it would eventually pass proximate to the basemember's center. The present invention further contemplates that anadditional support 19 can be attached or integral with the additionaldiscrete outrigger member 18.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 21 and22, the portable intravenous stand 10 includes a base member 12 having acenter of mass 24 and lying substantially within a plane 22(substantially parallel with the paper). The base member 12 includes amain segment 26 that preferably extends through or proximate the basemember's 12 center of mass 24. A first adjacent segment 28 having afirst and second end is attached to a first end 30 of the main segment,and a second adjacent segment 32 having a first and second end isattached to a second end 34 of the main segment 26 forming a Z-shapedbase 12. An angle α between the main segment 26 and first adjacentsegment 28 and second adjacent segment 32 is formed at the points ofattachment. The angle α can be approximately 15° to 75°. A firstrotating member (not shown in FIGS. 21 and 22) can be attached proximatethe attachment of the main segment 26 and the first adjacent segment 28,and a second rotating member (not shown in FIGS. 21 and 22) can beattached proximate the attachment location of the main segment 26 andthe second adjacent segment 32. Additional segments 14′ can be attachedproximate the second end of adjacent segments 14 forming a base member12 having a zig-zag form. The additional segments 14′ increase thestability of the stand. Rotating members can be attached to the freeends of the segments 14′. A pole member 20 (not shown in FIGS. 21 and22) can extend substantially vertical from the support 19 that ispreferably integral with the base member 12 and proximate the center ofmass 24, such that the base member enables the close positioning ofcorresponding segments of other similarly designed portable intravenousstands. An additional rotating member 16 can be attached to the mainsegment 26 of the base member 12 and proximate its center of mass 24and/or support 19.

As shown in FIGS. 21-23—and which is also applicable to the variousembodiments of the present invention shown throughout the figures—a pairof rotating members can be attached to the base member 12, wherein thepair of rotating members lie upon a circumference of a circle 40 thatlies parallel to the plane 22 wherein the circle's center is preferablyaligned with the center of the support 19, which is preferably proximateto the stand's 10 center of mass 24. Additional rotating members canfurther be attached to the base member 12 and also located about thecircumference 40 and preferably an equal distance apart from each otheralong the path of the circumference.

Referring back to FIGS. 1-7, the outrigger member 18 is configured suchthat the rotating members attached to its ends, which extend past theadjacent segments 14, lie on the circumference 40 along with the otherrotating members, wherein the rotating members are preferable positionedan equal distance apart from each other along the path of thecircumference. In FIGS. 1-7, one half of the outrigger member issubstantially perpendicular to one of the adjacent segments and theother half of the outrigger member is substantially perpendicular to theother of the adjacent segments. The equidistant spacing of rotatingmembers 16 about the circumference 40 provides substantial stability tothe base member.

It is to be noted however that not all rotating members 16 need to belocated proximate the circumference 40, but rather can be spaced adifferent distance from the support 19. In other words, other rotatingmembers, preferably in pairs, can be positioned about another circlehaving a different circumference that is concentric with the firstcircumference 40 about the support 19, or the center of mass 24 of thestand 10; but where the concentric circumferences have differentdiameters (see FIGS. 24 and 25).

It is to be understood that additional embodiments of the presentinvention described herein may be contemplated by one of ordinary skillin the art and the scope of the present invention is not limited to theembodiments disclosed. While specific embodiments of the presentinvention have been illustrated and described, numerous modificationscome to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of theinvention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope ofthe accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable intravenous stand comprising: a basemember including a plurality of segments, wherein the plurality ofsegments further include a first segment having a first end and a secondend; a second segment having a first end and a second end wherein thefirst end of the second segment is operatively connected to the firstend of the first segment forming a first junction lying within a firstplane; an outrigger member having a first end and a second end whereinthe outrigger member first end is operatively attached to the firstjunction; a first rotating member operatively attached proximate thesecond end of the first segment; a second rotating member operativelyattached proximate the second end of the second segment; a thirdrotating member operatively attached proximate the second end of theoutrigger member wherein the first, second and third rotating membersare within a second plane parallel to and lower than the first plane; acircle lying within the second plane, wherein the first, second andthird rotating members essentially lie upon a circumference of thecircle; and, a support integral to the base member and capable ofmaintaining a pole member substantially perpendicular to the firstplane.
 2. The portable intravenous stand of claim 1 wherein the segmentsand outrigger member incline from the second plane to the first plane tofacilitate the positioning of a similarly configured portableintravenous stand there under and proximate thereto.